Hypocalcemia: Calcium Deficiency Disease

What happens when calcium levels are low? Hypocalcemia, commonly known as calcium deficiency disease, occurs when calcium levels in the blood are low. A long-term deficiency can lead to dental changes, cataracts, alterations in the brain, and osteoporosis, which causes the bones to become brittle.

Complications of hypocalcemia can be life-threatening, and if the condition goes untreated, it could eventually lead to death.

A calcium deficiency may have no early symptoms. To avoid complications, a person should seek prompt diagnosis and treatment if they experience any of the symptoms listed below.

In this article, we also describe the prevalence of calcium deficiency disease, how to prevent it, and how it is treated.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms described below may become worse as the disease progresses.

1. Muscle problems

Calcium deficiency can lead to extreme tiredness and fatigue.

Muscle aches, cramps, and spasms are the earliest signs of a calcium deficiency. People tend to feel pain in the thighs and arms, particularly the underarms, when walking and otherwise moving.

A calcium deficiency can also cause numbness and tingling in the hands, arms, feet, legs, and around the mouth.

These sensations may indicate a more severe deficiency.

These symptoms can come and go, but they do not disappear with activity, and a person may have to wait them out.

2. Extreme fatigue

Low levels of calcium can cause insomnia or sleepiness.

People tend to experience:

extreme fatigue

lethargy

an overall feeling of sluggishness

lack of energy

Fatigue associated with calcium deficiency can also cause lightheadedness, dizziness, and brain fog, which involves lack of focus, forgetfulness, and confusion.

3. Nail and skin symptoms

Chronic calcium deficiency can affect the skin and nails.

The skin may become dry and itchy, and researchers have linked hypocalcemia to eczema and psoriasis. Eczema is a general term for skin inflammation. Symptoms include itchiness, redness, and skin blisters. Eczema is highly treatable, while psoriasis can be managed, but there is no cure.

A calcium deficiency may lead to dry, broken, and brittle nails. It can also contribute to alopecia, a condition that causes hair to fall out in round patches.

4. Osteopenia and osteoporosis

Osteopenia reduces the mineral density of bones, and it can lead to osteoporosis. Osteoporosis makes bones thinner and more susceptible to fractures. It can cause pain, issues with posture, and eventual disability.

While osteopenia is less severe than osteoporosis, both cause diminished bone density and increased risk of breaks and fractures.

The bones store calcium well, but they require high levels to stay strong. When overall levels of calcium are low, the body can divert it from the bones, making them brittle and prone to injury.

It takes years for bones to lose their density, and a calcium deficiency may take as long to cause serious problems.

Complications of Calcium Deficiency

A study that included 1,038 people admitted for critical care at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital found that 55.2 percent were hypocalcemic and that 6.2 percent of these people had a severe deficiency.

Treatment and Prevention of Hypocalcemia: Calcium Deficiency Disease

Calcium-rich foods can help reduce the likelihood of deficiency.

The safest and easiest way to manage and prevent a calcium deficiency is to add more calcium to the diet.

Some calcium-rich foods include:

dairy products, such as milk, cheese, and yogurt

beans

figs

broccoli

tofu

soy milk

spinach

fortified cereals

nuts and seeds, including almonds and sesame seeds

The daily recommended amount of calcium in the diet is 1,000 mg for people aged 19–50, while children, teens, and older adults tend to require more.

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